San Francisco, California — On July 26, 2023, at approximately 2:53 p.m. San Francisco Police Officers who were working in plain clothes were arresting a male suspect at Catalina Street and Fairfax Avenue. During the arrest a second male, identified as 41-year-old Ryant Bluford, unrelated to the arrest, approached and engaged these officers. He approached the scene and lashed out at the officers who were having difficulty arresting a man for an outstanding warrant. Officers asked Bluford to back up after he began demanding that the police release the man. Shortly after, Bluford could be seen on video displaying a gun at his waist and appeared to threaten the officers. Bluford then walked toward two patrol officers, who had just arrived in a marked police vehicle. Their bodycam footage showed them screaming for Bluford to take his hand out of his pants and get on the ground while they aimed their weapons at Bluford.
Suddenly, Bluford raised his left hand to flip off the officers, and in seconds, used his right hand to take the gun out of his pocket and hold it up at the officers. Both officers then shot their weapons, one minute and four seconds after their arrival. Several shots can be heard, and Bluford falls to the ground.
There was no indication in the video or the town hall that Bluford shot his gun. After the shooting, the patrol officers walked over to him and began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as bystanders swarmed the scene and got closer, despite officers telling them to stay back. Officers rendered aid and summoned medics to the scene. Bluford was transported by medics to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite the lifesaving efforts of emergency responders and medical staff, Bluford was declared deceased at the hospital. Bluford had a history of violence. The news site ‘Mission Local’ reported that Bluford was convicted in the 2006 gang rape of a 16-year-old girl.
News by Breaking911
